MARY POPPINS IS A VERY SPECIAL NANNY, and Taylor Jones is magical in the title role at the Berkeley Playhouse production, on stage at the Julia Morgan Theatre now through Dec. 7. Jones has a smile to brighten any stage and easily fills the role of Mary with charm and poise. Tom Reardon and Sarah […]
Review: Verismo vocalists power through Puccini
VERISMO OPERA COMPANY OPENED THE FINAL LEG of its production of Puccini’s “Tosca” at the Bay Terrace Theatre in Vallejo on Saturday. The deeply dramatic tale follows lovers and patriots through waves of joy and tragedy on the eve of Napoleon’s conquest of Rome, in the year 1800. Critics panned the opera at the time […]
Review: Chamber concert spotlights virtuosic talent
Vallejo Symphony Orchestra presented the first small group performance of its 2014-15 season Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church in Vallejo. Clarinetist Diane Maltester wowed the audience with a stunning performance of pieces by both traditional and modern composers. “Diane and Friends” featured VSO first clarinetist Maltester together with Bay Area artists LaDene Otsuki on […]
On the Stage: Solano Rep’s ‘Cuckoo’s Nest’ has workshop feel
SOLANO REPERTORY THEATRE COMPANY is currently staging Dale Wasserman’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” an adaptation of the 1963 Ken Kesey novel, in the black box performance space of the Missouri Street Theatre in Fairfield. Nestor Campos Jr. stands out in the production as Chief Bromden, a patient at the mental institution where new-admit […]
On the Stage: Bay Area Stage rocks ‘Addams Family’ in new venue
Bay Area Stage of Vallejo, forced out of its Vallejo home earlier this year when the Fetterly Playhouse closed its doors, is currently having a go at the historic Campbell Theatre in Martinez, and it’s looking like a good fit. “The Addams Family,” a musical by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, opened to […]
On the Stage: BOTTG hits ground running with season opener
Benicia Old Town Theatre Group opened its 2014-15 season with a bang Friday, showcasing the talents of many in a well-crafted presentation of “Dial ‘M’ for Murder,” the 1952 stage play by Frederick Knott. (Knott also wrote the screenplay for the 1954 film, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and featuring Grace Kelly and Ray Milland in […]
Play’s the (fall) thing
Many opportunities to see drama, comedy, music this month and next A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THE LAST TIME I surveyed our area theater scene. Some premier companies have closed altogether, most notably Diablo Actors Ensemble of Walnut Creek and Dreamweavers of Napa (aka Napa Valley Playhouse). Both folded recently because of rising facilities costs […]
On the Stage: Contra Costa’s ‘Addams Family’ is a blast from the past
“THEY’RE CREEPY AND THEY’RE KOOKY … DA-DA-DA-DUM!” Contra Costa Civic Theatre had the audience snapping their fingers along with the familiar “Addams Family” theme song Friday during the overture for “The Addams Family: A New Musical,” on stage at the El Cerrito venue through Oct. 19. The company enjoys an exciting distinction this month, being […]
Symphony, board at odds over maestro: What is the best way forward?
IT HAS BEEN MY GREAT PRIVILEGE to attend almost every concert of the Vallejo Symphony Orchestra since I began writing reviews for The Herald five years ago. I continue to marvel at the skill, professionalism and overall quality of VSO productions, which consistently rival those of other, larger area orchestras. So I was disheartened to […]
Review: Vallejo Symphony opener a big hit
THE VALLEJO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OPENED ITS 83RD SEASON SUNDAY with an international sampling from late 19th and early 20th century composers, titled “Worlds Away” and featuring guest soloist David Requiro, prize-winning cellist and professor of music at the University of Puget Sound. And while Requiro was the day’s star performer, each section of the symphony […]